From a carry-over of Magny-Cours’ drama to differing outlooks on team orders and fighting hard ahead of Barcelona’s big weekend, juicy gossip was aplenty in the pre-round debriefs
The penultimate European round of the 2022 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is on the horizon as the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with the paddock set for another monumental weekend of action. As usual, there was plenty of chatter amongst rivals in their pre-weekend interviews, with rivals continuing to be at odds, riders stating bold claims and discussing whether or not team orders will come into play if necessary.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “Not the best friends of the paddock, so the relationship will stay the same!”
“There’s no special relationship; he told me his point of view and I told him mine, but that’s all. Races are races and the past is the past. Jonathan and I were not the best friends of the paddock so the relationship will stay the same! Sincerely, the approach for the final part of the season doesn’t change for Toprak’s points gap; I know the last three rounds have been the most difficult tracks. I have to be focused, try and do my best and I think the next tracks will be nice for us. I’m quite calm and focussed on the bike and my work. For Michael staying, I’m so happy for him. He’s a very talented rider, he’s very young and improving a lot during this season. He had a difficult start but then began being more consistent and competitive; we have a similar riding style which is easier for the engineers, so I am happy for him, and I look forward to fighting in the next races and next year for victories with him.”
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “The atmosphere has soured…”
“I view Barcelona as a bit of a difficult circuit to be honest, but I have some incredible memories. When WorldSBK came here in 2020, I won the first ever race. I have the nice Barcelona trophy on display at home, so great memories from then. On the incident with Bautista, from my side, nothing will change because I have to fight so hard to be there in this incredible battle right now with two other strong rivals, but of course the atmosphere has soured a bit with a lot of things being said in the aftermath in the heat of the moment. There’s a point when you’re overtaking a rider and in this kind of instance, there’s a point of impact and you have to brace as the guy on the inside; this was the clear movement, not an intentional punt. He knows this. Right now, the Championship is so competitive with different manufacturers that we need to step up; the team know that and we’re working really hard to try and do that.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK): “The Championship is very strange this year… I’m very surprised!”
“This weekend is very important, and we need good points. I’ll focus on this race and then Portimao, because I think San Juan won’t be easy because the Ducati is very fast, especially in the straights with Alvaro. I watched the video of the incident between Alvaro and Jonny and Jonny makes a mistake, but this is racing. The Championship is strange this year; every weekend we are fighting and the points situation changes. I’m very surprised! The season is long, and we have many races.”
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “If I need to follow team orders, I will”
“Well, we arrive to Barcelona which is a track I really like and after a podium at Magny-Cours, so a positive feeling and positive vibes. I’m happy about the new contract and for sure, it gives us a little bit of calm, and I want to stay with the hunger and positive pressure; when I’m under these circumstances, I perform better. I think Axel is doing a great job for an Independent team but I think the best choice for our team was to remain the same, so we can fight in the next races and so that we can try and bring the title once again to Bologna. Next year, I think Alvaro and I can fight for the podium. I will try to win races but the main goal this year is to win the Championship. If I was in his position in the future, I’d like that a younger teammate who is not fighting for the title can be smart. I will use my brain and if I need to make a team decision and follow team orders, I will do it as I really believe in that.”
Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing): “If I have the opportunity to pass Michael or Alvaro, I’ll do it”
“I hope it will be a good round and we’ll try to repeat the result of Magny-Cours. I like the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya a lot, also the city of Barcelona is cool, so I feel good, and I hope to repeat the best results. My goal continues to be to try and be in front of the factory guys, and that hasn’t changed. I hope to continue to try and beat Michael but also Bautista if it’s possible and then to try and have a factory seat for 2024. In the next weeks, I’ll tell the WorldSBK paddock about what happens for next year! I think when we’re on track, we have the possibility to do what we want. I don’t like team orders so when I attack, I put all of myself to try and win. I don’t want to make mistakes, to crash with others, but if I have the possibility to pass Michael or Alvaro, I will do it.”
Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW): “Never a doubt that I’d continue with the team and BMW”
“Super delighted to announce the plans for 2023; there was never a doubt that I’d continue with the team and with BMW. We started the project at the beginning of the year, bearing in mind we needed a long time and I wanted to stay for a long time, with the same team and the same guys. I have been changing around a lot. BMW are putting a lot of effort to achieve our goals; we are improving a lot this year and next year looks good. I know how fast Garrett is and he’s a nice guy, and I know how important that is for the team. Even if he’s having harder races lately, you don’t lose your talent. I’m already excited for 2023, even if we still have a lot of races this year!”
Garrett Gerloff (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team): “It’s good to change things up… BMW are working hard behind the scenes”
“I’m really excited. BMW are working hard behind the scenes! They have the desire to keep pushing the bike to the front of the field and that’s where I want to be. Sometimes, it is good to change things up, for me specifically, and we will see how it goes. I really appreciated that they were excited to work with me and I really appreciate the opportunity. Remy Gardner joining the team in 2023 is something I didn’t expect to see and I’m glad he had the opportunity. I think he’s going to get along really well with the team, it’s a great group of people and that will be good for him. The R1 Yamaha is a great bike and Toprak’s been showing that in the last few years! It’ll be figuring out how to adapt to a different bike and the tyres will be interesting for him to get used to. Obviously, the bike and team are capable and if he can get it all sorted out, I hope to see him fighting close to the front.”
“I prefer to win on the track – not because someone let me pass”
The contenders and pretenders to the throne throw out some key talking points at Motegi
Thursday, 22 September 2022
Thursday of the Motul Grand Prix of Japan threw up plenty of talking points, with two Press Conferences. The first was the three riders split by just 17 points: Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), before the second saw MotorLand winner Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) joined by eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and home hero Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu).
MotoGP World Championship contenders Fabio Quartararo (center), Francesco Bagnaia (left), and Aleix Espargaro (right). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Here are some key quotes!
QUOTES
FABIO QUARTARARO
How are you feeling physically after your Aragon crash?
“Good. Today I had my first training, so it was okay. It’s just abrasions, so it’s a little bit painful but I think on the bike it’s not going to be a big issue. For sure, it’s going to be burning, especially in the first session, but I think it’s not going to be a problem riding the bike.”
Fabio Quartararo poses with some Japan MiniGP racers. Photo by Kohei Hirota.
Does being strong on tracks like Red Bull Ring and Aragon, despite past struggles there, give you confidence for Motegi?
“At the end, at every track, we are competitive. If you check also Red Bull Ring, also Aragon at the end, in the past, I’ve never been competitive there, and this time I had pretty strong pace. Unfortunately, my race ended quite soon, but I think, on the pace, there is no track that we are not fast at. But of course, then there are also some circumstances where we are struggling to overtake, so I think this track is quite good, because I’ve been super strong here in the past, and I’m looking forward to be back, because I have some really good memories here.”
Does the Mandalika race give you confidence in case it is wet?
“Yeah, especially also because I think in 2019, the grip level here was really high. I remember also I raced with Marc and Dovi, they were super fast. So, the more grip there is on the track, the better for us, and as you say, Mandalika was super good, so I think there is no reason now to have a kind of fear about having a wet race. Of course, I enjoy it more in the dry, but I think there is not a big issue if it’s rainy.”
How are you thinking about the Championship now that your lead is only 10 points?
“At the end, what can you do? I think right now, with 17 points around all three, I will not see it’s the beginning of the championship and everyone is pushing like hell, but I think all three, including Enea, want the Championship. But especially, having only 17 points between us three means that we will push ourselves to the maximum and in the end I think it’s nice.”
Did you decide on an artist name after the factory visit?
“Not yet, but I’m starting to make a few things… [Bagnaia: Diablo is already taken!!] I know! I have to try to find a new name, but actually, I had 12 hours on the plane so I was already playing with the computer and I liked it. It was really fun to visit, especially Yamaha music, because I never expected it was that big, and it was really fun.”
FRANCESCO BAGNAIA
Ready for Motegi?
“I’m happy to be here. It’s one of my favorite and best tracks. It means the start of the flyaway and it’s one of my favourite layouts. For sure the conditions and situation is completely different to 2019 when I was a rookie and I was struggling with my bike. So I think this year can be good, I really like the layout so it suits our bike very well. I really like braking so on the brakes we can be competitive.”
Francesco Bagnaia. Photo courtesy Dorna.
How strong is the Ducati?
“It looks like we are normally the bike to beat. Our bike is the most complete. This track for sure is great but we have seen in Austria that normally we are the fastest, but Fabio can stay with us. It is important to do the correct decision about the feeling of the bike and we have to consider the conditions cause it looks like it can rain.”
On the weather and the challenge:
“In this moment I’m not thinking too much on the Championship because five races is still a lot and everything can change still. I would like to do my work as always and try to be competitive. It’s true in the wet I’m not the fastest, and I struggle always. In Indonesia I finished 15th. It will be important to have more sessions on wets if the race is on wets to help understand the conditions.”
And what about team orders?
“Sincerely I don’t think I need help to be at the front. I prefer to win on the track and not because someone let me pass. In any case, I’m not part of this decision, it is something where I have already said my desire, which is let me do what I want to do. If they decide something different, it’s not something about me. I will be racing; I will try to be in front and I will try to win. Just like I did in Aragon and in Misano.”
ALEIX ESPARGARO
Was Aragon the perfect time to get back on the podium and restore confidence and momentum?
“Yeah, it has been good to be back on the podium. Especially, it has been an extra boost of confidence. I struggled in Misano and Austria and I was quite satisfied about my performance, to finish in sixth place in difficult circuits in MotoGP today is not that easy, so it was okay. But to finish on the podium, especially after a very difficult weekend with two crashes on Friday, being out of Q2… It was not an easy weekend for me but to manage and put the bike on the podium on Sunday was great.”
Aleix Espargaro. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Will straight-line braking be a concern this weekend given it is a weakness of the Aprilia?
“I think, during the Misano test, we improved a little bit in that area, and it’s really related to the track grip. It also depends on which rear tyre we have. So, I’m not really worried. It’s a long time since we raced here in Motegi, but it’s a track that I like and anything can happen. It looks like the weather conditions will not be the best ones, so it’s going to really be about how you can adapt to these conditions as well as possible. The programme will be different because we will not have Free Practice 1 in the morning, so it’s going to be different, a tricky weekend.”
Does your extra MotoGP™ experience give you an advantage here?
“I don’t think it’s going to count so much. I mean, I was watching the ’19 race yesterday and Fabio did a super good race, always just one second from Marc in his rookie year, which is difficult to do, and Pecco also raced once. But we raced both in smaller classes, so we know the track, the bike has changed so much from ’19, we have a lot of new items on the bikes, we have a new carcass on the Michelin tyres, so I think it’s going to be quite new for everybody.”
Are you feeling the pressure of fighting for a Championship for the first time?
“I have to say at, let’s say, the middle of the season, when I started to finish on the podium in every race, I started to feel some pressure because I realised I had some chance to fight for this title until the end. But now, I’m a little bit more relaxed, I’m enjoying this year a lot – with my family when I’m not racing, also when I’m racing – every single minute of this year, I will not ever forget in my life, so this is why I feel relaxed. I know I will have my chances, so I’m just trying to do the same that I did from Qatar: make no mistakes, enjoy it as much as possible, and be relaxed.”
Did you expect any more chaos on minibikes this weekend?
“It will be nice, small chaos is more fun. The last pre-event here was a fun one, but yeah, MotoGP is MotoGP, everything can happen, we saw it with Fabio’s crash on the first lap in Aragon, for example. He was leading the Championship, always struggling in Aragon, and then he had super strong pace and then he crashed in the race. So, everything can happen, you have to be relaxed, try to handle everything in the most positive way possible, and let’s see how this weekend is because we have to deal with many new things and it’s been a long time since we raced in Japan, different schedule, strange weather conditions, so it’s going to be fun.”
ENEA BASTIANINI
Motegi seems to suit the Ducati…
“I’m very happy about last weekend in Aragon. It was one of the best weekends of my life, from Friday I was very fast and it was very important for us. Now it’s Motegi, a beautiful track with lots of hard braking, I like it, but it will be hard as I never tried the MotoGP at this track. I have to use FP1 to learn from riders with experience here, like Marc and Taka. I twill be important to be competitive in QP, like always, because it is the key now to MotoGP.”
Enea Bastianini. Photo courtesy Dorna.
You’re a “Motegi rookie” in the premier class. Does this weekend make it more of a level playing field?
“Yeah, I think, I don’t know if it is an advantage to have not tried a MotoGP bike here. From 2019 to now, MotoGP bikes are very different, its more aerodynamic, the rear device and this can change the cards on the table. I don’t remember a lot, from 2019 in Moto2, it was my first year also….this in my career. I’m prepared to start.”
Now you’re 48 points off Fabio, do you still have Championship hopes?
“I think my chances are really, really small. I haven’t lost it for the moment. We will see what happens in the future. It is important to do great races like Aragon and Misano and I think after the summer break I have made a good step. This is the most important for us. I try to do my best every week to arrive at the end of the Championship in a good position.”
And what about team orders?
“Also in Misano, I haven’t had any team orders from Ducati at the moment, and this is good because I also have a small chance at the Championship. I have to use this to do always 100% in the race. In the last part of the Championship, we will see if I have some team orders or not. I’m not stressed now!”
TAKAAKI NAKAGAMI
How is your hand?
“To be honest, my hand is not the best feeling of course. On Monday, I had surgery in Barcelona. Only a few days to recover 100%. After the race, I understood that my hand was pretty bad, so I was expecting it will be a really, really tough home race this weekend. Actually, at least I got the green light for FP1 but I have to check again and we will decide to continue or stop after that.”
Takaaki Nakagami shows his special helmet paint job for his home race at Motegi. Photo by Kohei Hirota.
What about the Lap 1 Aragon drama?
“Well, it’s difficult, I tried to overtake Marc at Turn 7, and I lost the line slightly, and he tried to overtake again on the exit. He was clearly in front of me. It looks like when he activated the device the bike went to the left, in such a short time, I tried to elbow out to avoid contact but it was impossible. That moment I realized it wasn’t Marc’s fault, it was an unlucky racing accident. 0% I never got angry with him, it was unlucky, I got injured but this is life. It could have been worse, I hit him twice, but the first one I was already out of control. I cannot imagine the first one going to the right, I was trying to stay on the bike but it was full throttle, the second one I already crashed and was on the floor. Thank god all the riders behind avoided me. I was lucky. I will try to recover and let’s see how FP1 goes.”
Thoughts on the weather?
“Yeah, normally everyone hopes for sunshine for riders and fans. Looks an unstable weather forecast. A couple of days ago a big typhoon came and the weekend looks pretty bad. Physically, rain could be a help because of less force in the braking, but it will be better. I feel sorry for the fans, after 3 years, all the riders and fans have been waiting for this weekend. Apart from injury, hopefully good weather this weekend.”
Thoughts on the Kalex swingarm?
“As you say, I tested the aluminum swingarm at the Misano Test. It was pretty comfortable and I like it. Then Marc had it in Aragon and he had a positive feeling I believe. This weekend I will have the swingarm according to the plan. This hand and this performance, if it will be a help or not. First I. have to check the level of performance with my hand, and if I am able to continue, then we will try during the weekend.”
We’re back in Japan for the first time since 2019. How special is it?
“Really important. Today already I met a lot of fans and friends in the paddock so it’s an amazing feeling. The feeling is it is my home GP, I can talk Japanese in the paddock. This gives me a lot of positive energy. Of course, I prepared a special helmet for this weekend as always in Japan. Now is Autumn, so I tried to design it in a traditional Japanese Autumn design.”
MARC MARQUEZ
Do you expect Motegi to be a more demanding physical challenge than Aragon?
“Yeah, of course, Aragon was already really demanding for, especially because the Misano test is one thing but the intensity especially in a race weekend is different. Here in Motegi will be the first time that there is a big stress to the right arm, because there are many braking points – long braking points, hard braking points – and right corners, so I will need to manage the situation well, and my physical condition. In Aragon, I said that maybe Sunday will not be a problem; maybe here, yes; but I will understand straight away when I go out in FP1.”
Eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Is it frustrating that the Aragon crash and potentially rain at Motegi will make it difficult to test yourself and the bike?
“Yeah, of course, the target of the Aragon GP was to try to do some kilometres and try to finish the race, but unfortunately I just did one lap after an amazing start. I was disappointed, especially because I felt ready. On race pace, I was not bad, it was my strongest point, and I managed the tyres on that race track – I feel really good when the tyres drop – but anyway, it was like this. It was unlucky, but at the same time, lucky, because in both situations, we were lucky that nothing happened. Now it’s time to focus here in Motegi. It will be different, it will be damp conditions. It’s true that we have more races to try the things in Honda, but it’s an important weekend because it’s one of our test circuits and the test team is working a lot here, but we will continue our way and just try to work for 2023.”
How did you assess your Aragon performance and could you ride the bike in a more natural way?
“It’s true that in Aragon, I was struggling a lot in the morning practice, but then in the afternoon practice, I felt much better. I was struggling a lot in the natural position on the bike, but then in the afternoon, it was much better. Now, single laps, I can ride like I want, but the problem is that still I need more muscle to keep that riding style for more laps, and we are looking to arrive at that level in these next races.”
Have you met directly with senior management at HRC or will you meet them this weekend?
“Yeah, it’s important to be back in Japan because sometimes you have some emails, some phone calls, but face-to-face is completely different, and it was important to visit all HRC and check what they are doing, and especially motivate them. At the same time, you see the President and all the important people who are there. They know already where they are, they know where they want to arrive, and I’m here to help them to come back to the top.”
Loris Baz to race for the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team as a BMW Motorrad WorldSBK factory rider also in 2023.
Loris Baz to contest his second season on the BMW M 1000 RR in 2023.
The Frenchman will start for the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team, as he does this season.
Marc Bongers: “With his experience, ability and personality, Loris adds an awful lot to the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team and our whole WorldSBK project”.
Munich. Loris Baz (FRA) will remain part of the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family in 2023, and will start as a BMW Motorrad factory rider in the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) again. Next year will be his second season with the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team. The collaboration has been extended accordingly. Baz’s new team-mate will be American Garrett Gerloff.
The 29-year-old Frenchman and the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team have worked well together from the outset this season, their first together, and have enjoyed success. They have already achieved their goal of finishing in the top ten on multiple occasions. Baz was also in contention for a podium at his home round at Magny-Cours (FRA).
“Loris is an important part of our family of BMW factory riders, and we are thrilled that he will start for the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team again in 2023,” said BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers. “You could tell from the word go that the chemistry was good between him, the team and his fellow factory riders. With his experience, ability and personality, Loris adds an awful lot to the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team and our whole WorldSBK project. It is excellent news that this impressive collaboration will continue next season. We are confident that we will continue to move forward together.”
Jürgen Röder, owner of the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team, said: “I am delighted that Loris is staying with us. We are very happy about that, and I believe that Loris Baz and his team-mate Garrett Gerloff will form an incredibly strong duo next year, when we can hopefully push hard with the BMW. From a riding potential, we have a great troop, and the team in the background will also remain the same for next year. As such, we will have a well-practiced team in 2023, which has done an outstanding job this year. Furthermore, we will have Loris, Garrett and Eugene Laverty, in the role of riding coach, by my side. Eugene gets on superbly with both riders, so I think the collaboration is going to be great in that regard too. That encourages me to be very positive looking ahead.”
“I am really happy that I will ride for BMW and the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team again next year,” said Baz. “I never doubted that I would. When I joined the project, the intention was to be involved in the long term and to improve every year. I feel really good in the team, and BMW is working harder than anyone else to achieve the goal we all have. I am also delighted to have such a nice guy as Garrett as my team-mate. I also have a very good relationship with Eugene, and it is really important for the team that we feel like a family. I am sure that will also be the case with Garrett. The goal is now to end 2022 strongly and go into the 2023 season with a good basis. Thank you to everyone at BMW, Jürgen Röder and Michael Galinski for the faith they have put in me.”
Herrin’s Homecoming Set for Barber Motorsports Park
Josh Herrin rolling in as the champion and ready for some fun in the Heart of Dixie
Sunnyvale, Calif. — Josh Herrin’s Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC Ducati Panigale V2 final hit-out for the 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship is set for Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama this weekend.
Herrin clinched the championship with a measured and calm performance at New Jersey Motorsports Park two weeks ago, leaving the Northeast with an unassailable 93-point lead heading into this final Barber round with 50 points and two race wins still to play for.
After earlier stating intentions to race a second Ducati Panigale V4 SBK in the Superbike category as teammate to Danilo Petrucci at Barber, Herrin and the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC team has since decided against the plan and will instead concentrate on the Supersport class with the tantalizing prospect of finishing the championship with a massive 100-point buffer over second place.
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC – #2) : “I’m excited to race Barber this weekend. It’s one of my favorite tracks on the schedule,” Herrin said. “I want to end the year with two more wins. It’s nice to go into the weekend with no stress on our shoulders, just race and do our best without the championship to worry about. I’m looking forward to it and can’t wait to see everyone out at Barber.”
The ninth and final round of the 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship at Barber Motorsports Park will kick off with Free Practice 1 at 10:10 CDT on Friday, September 23. Race One is scheduled for Saturday, September 24 at 2:10 pm CDT with Race Two, the last race of 2022, to be held on September 25 at 2:10 pm CDT.
Featured In the September 2022 issue of Roadracing World:
“Ride-by-wire throttles are here to stay and, depending on how you feel about being in control, that can be a good or bad thing.
“On a racebike with unfettered access to the engine control unit (ECU), ride-by-wire is a powerful tool to be able to do neat tricks like taking the slack out of the chain before allowing more power to the rear wheel, or only delivering as much power as the tire or wheelie will allow regardless of what the rider is requesting with the twist grip. Impressive stuff…”
—2022 Yamaha MT-10 Intro, by Sam Q. Fleming
Knee-dragging performance? All-day comfort? They’re not mutually exclusive when it comes to Yamaha’s new MT-10. Sam Q. Fleming ripped the bike around North Carolina—read his impressions in the latest issue of Roadracing World!
PREVIEW the September 2022 Issue of Roadracing World!
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Yamaha Pledges $500K, Urges All to Get Outdoors on September 24
Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative Celebrates National Public Lands Day and National Hunting and Fishing Day
MARIETTA, Ga. – September 21, 2022 – Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, is encouraging people to get outside and enjoy the outdoors on Saturday, September 24, 2022, in honor of National Public Lands Day and National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHF Day). In recognition of these events, the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative (OAI) is renewing its annual pledge to commit $500,000 to organizations supporting access to land for outdoor recreation and encouraging applications for grants before the next quarterly deadline on September 30.
National Public Lands Day invites volunteers nationwide to help restore and preserve public lands – from national parks to local urban green spaces – directly aligning with Yamaha OAI’s goal of protecting public lands for outdoor recreation. To date, the Yamaha OAI program has contributed over $5 million in funding and equipment across more than 425 projects in the last 14 years to assist outdoor recreationists working to protect and improve access to public land and educate everyone on safe, sustainable recreational use. Yamaha OAI has proven to be the industry’s most reliable partner and a significant resource for those who depend on access to public land for work and play.
Additionally, on September 24, National Hunting and Fishing Day is celebrating its 50th anniversary. NHF Day events are organized each year by Wonders of Wildlife to spread awareness of the conservation and economic benefits, as well as traditions and values of hunting and fishing. Yamaha OAI is a founding partner of Wonders of Wildlife’s Live It! program and a supporter of its efforts to expand NHF Day events across the country. These events play a significant role in expanding awareness of the issues facing public access and outdoor recreation, and the Live It! program supports local conservation groups wanting to host or enhance NHF Day events, but are limited in their resources.
Since access to public land is best protected by visitors’ responsible and sustainable practices, Yamaha OAI partners with Recreate Responsibly Coalition (RRC) on a variety of activities, including signage for land managers to educate visitors on appropriate, responsible use of trails and riding areas. Those interested in applying for the signs can simply complete a form at the following link: Yamaha OAI / RRC Responsible Use Signage Request.
“Last year we made a commitment to grant half a million dollars to outdoor projects, and we’re proud to say we exceeded that goal,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s Motorsports marketing manager. “Our lives are rooted in the outdoors and Yamaha’s direct and significant financial support of Wonders of Wildlife, Recreate Responsibly, and so many other outdoor organizations help make recreation on public lands possible. In celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day and National Public Lands Day, we’re excited to renew our annual commitment to make a minimum of $500,000 available in 2022 to organizations who help create opportunities for outdoor recreation.”
The Yamaha OAI program encourages riding clubs, land stewardship associations, and public land managers to work together with Yamaha dealers to identify projects and apply for support. Yamaha OAI is a one-stop resource for outdoor organizations seeking support for their next project. Visit YamahaOAI.com for application details, or examples of some typical projects the program supports for inspiration.
The application deadline for consideration in the third quarter of the 2022 funding cycle is September 30, 2022. Submission guidelines and an application for a Yamaha OAI grant are available at YamahaOAI.com. Connect with Yamaha on social media via @YamahaOutdoors or search any of the following hashtags on all platforms: #Yamaha #YamahaOAI #REALizeYourAdventure #ProvenOffRoad #AssembledInUSA
About the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative
Since 2008, the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative has led the Powersports industry in supporting responsible access to our nation’s public lands for outdoor enthusiasts. With more than $5 million contributed to 425 projects across the country, Yamaha has directly and indirectly supported thousands of miles of motorized recreation trails, maintained and rehabilitated riding and hunting areas, improved staging areas, supplied agricultural organizations with essential OHV safety education, built bridges over fish-bearing streams, and partnered with local outdoor enthusiast communities across the country to improve access to public lands. Each quarter, Yamaha accepts applications from nonprofit or tax-exempt organizations including OHV riding clubs and associations, national, state, and local public land-use agencies, outdoor enthusiast associations, and land conservation groups with an interest in protecting, improving, expanding, and/or maintaining access for safe, responsible, and sustainable public use.
Updated guidelines, an application form, information, and news about the Outdoor Access Initiative are available at YamahaOAI.com. For specific questions about the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative, call the dedicated hotline at 1-877-OHV-TRAIL (877-648-8724), email [email protected], or write to:
Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative
Yamaha Motor Corp., USA
3065 Chastain Meadows Parkway, Bldg. 100
Marietta, GA 30066
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, and factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company (YMSC) with divisions Bennett Marine (Florida), Kracor Systems (Wisconsin) and Siren Marine, Inc. (Rhode Island), Skeeter Boats (Texas), with division G3 Boats (Missouri), and Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana).
Mission Happy Hour to Highlight Fan Appreciation Night at Progressive AFT Season Finale
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 21, 2022) – Progressive American Flat Track will celebrate its fanbase with a special “Fan Appreciation Night” at the Mission Volusia Half-Mile Finale II presented by Daytona Dodge on the season’s final day, Saturday, October 15, at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida.
The centerpiece of Fan Appreciation Night will be the Mission Happy Hour. Gates will open an hour early to allow the Mission Happy Hour to run from 2:30 p.m. local time up until on-track action kicks off for the evening at 4:00 p.m.
During that time, fans will enjoy a rider meet and greet along with a special Q&A hosted by Ralph Sheehen featuring the sport’s greatest athletes. There will also be a variety of special attractions, music, games, prizes, and giveaways.
Every attendee will receive a raffle ticket upon entrance and be welcome to take part in the taco eating contest alongside VIPs and past Progressive AFT championships. There will also be yard games to enjoy, including Jenga, Cornhole, and Connect 4.
Fans will also have the opportunity to win various prizes, including free Paddock Pass Upgrades, event shirts, food and beverage vouchers, and the chance to eat dinner alongside the riders and crew inside the Mission Hospitality Tent, among other offerings. Additionally, 20 attendees will get the exclusive experience of getting their photo taken at the podium.
Progressive AFT fans will also be able to take advantage of a special 50% off discount for the Paddock Pass Upgrade during the session’s opening half hour and then enjoy $5 off all merchandise for the final hour.
Additionally, the Halifax Humane Society will be in attendance, complete with ambassador dogs. Fans are encouraged to bring donations, the most pressing items being pet food (wet and dry, dog, cat, and kitten), treats, peanut butter, and laundry detergent.
FOX Sports and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2022 season, all races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. FansChoice.tv provides livestreaming coverage of every Progressive AFT round at http://www.FansChoice.tv.
ABOARD THE CAVOUR AIRCRAFT CARRIER, MOTO GUZZI AND THE ITALIAN NAVY CELEBRATE THEIR CLOSE TIES, STARTING WITH THE EAGLE SYMBOL
The occasion saw the world preview of the V100 Mandello Aviazione Navale, a limited edition of 1913 numbered motorcycles
Packed with technology, the latest arrival in the Moto Guzzi family features a unique livery inspired by the F-35B fighters, making it the most striking model in the V100 range
Civitavecchia, 21 September 2022 – On the spectacular stage of the flight deck of the Cavour aircraft carrier, Moto Guzzi and the Italian Navy have celebrated the close ties that have united them for more than one hundred years.
The spread-winged eagle, the unmistakeable emblem of Moto Guzzi since it was established in 1921, dates back to the military service of the company’s founders, Carlo Guzzi and Giorgio Parodi, in the Italian Royal Navy’s Aeronautical Arm in World War One. It was during the war that the two friends, and pilot Giovanni Ravelli, decided to go into motorcycle manufacturing once the conflict ended. Ravelli was killed in an accident in 1919 and was unable to achieve his dream. Guzzi and Parodi chose the Eagle as their symbol in memory of their companion.
The event was an emotional occasion, which included the world preview of the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello Aviazione Navale, a special numbered limited-edition of the latest arrival in the Moto Guzzi family. A technology-rich motorcycle made even more striking in this exclusive version uniting two great names with indissoluble ties to the history of Italy.
The project was made possible thanks to Difesa Servizi S.p.A., an in-house company of the Italian Ministry of Defence responsible for optimising the Department’s assets over the last 10 years, which granted Moto Guzzi use of the “Aviazione Navale” mark for the production of the V100 Mandello Aviazione Navale.
Produced in a limited edition of 1913 numbered motorcycles, a tribute to the year in which the aviation arm of the Italian Navy was formed, the exclusive Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello Aviazione Navale is a unique model, starting with its special livery inspired by the Navy’s
F-35B fighter jets. The graphics are a faithful reproduction of those of the aircraft, with the insignia on both sides of the cowl, together with the typical “jet intake” stripes. The livery is enhanced by a low-visibility tricolour rosette on the sides of the fuel tank, the emblem of the Italian Naval Aviation, and the logo of the Boarded Aircraft Unit.
Standard features include a tyre pressure monitoring system and heated handlegrips, while the serial number is laser etched on the handlebar riser. Each one of the bikes comes with its own cover and a commemorative plaque.
Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello
The Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello opens a completely new chapter in the company’s history; it eludes conventional categorisation, combining brilliant performance with the vocation for travel that lies at the heart of every Moto Guzzi two-wheeler.
This is a Moto Guzzi like never before, whose cutting-edge technology and innovative technical and aerodynamic solutions open the door to the future of the brand. The V100 Mandello is an innovative bike starting with the design which, as always, enhances the unique, inimitable twin-cylinder engine. Lines that eschew nostalgia, offering a modern take on the key elements of the Moto Guzzi stylistic idiom. A watershed in the brand’s history, the bike introduces many important technological innovations: the first two-wheeler with adaptive aerodynamics, the first Moto Guzzi model to feature a six-axis inertial platform, ABS cornering, semi-active suspensions and a quick shift, to name just the most important.
The V100 Mandello is also the first Moto Guzzi bike powered by the new compact-block engine with sophisticated technical characteristics. Tradition is maintained by the 90° V-twin architecture, which guarantees Moto Guzzi’s unique torque delivery and inimitable sound, but the project is completely new and offers impressively brilliant performance: power of 115 hp and torque of 105 Nm, with 82% already available at 3,500 rpm.
Naval Aviation
Italy’s Naval Aviation – Aviazione Navale – is the air component of the Italian Navy, created to operate at sea in close contact with its ships. Its origins date back to 1913, when the Aeronautical Service of the Royal Navy was officially formed.
The Navy’s aviation units are currently headed by the COMFORAER Air Forces Command, which is responsible for the organisation and coordination of the activities of all the Navy’s aircraft, including maintenance, management of logistics infrastructure and training for flight and ground personnel.
Its fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters are boarded on vessels equipped with hangars and a flight deck, on amphibious assault units and on aircraft carriers.
Since the 1980s, Italy’s Naval Aviation has been involved in all the main international operations.
The Cavour aircraft carrier
The Cavour (CVH 550) is a short take-off and vertical landing aircraft carrier, built by Fincantieri. It entered service for the Italian Navy in 2009.
With an LOA of 244 metres and 220 metres of runway, the Cavour is the Italian Navy’s flagship, and one of the most important technological investments of the country’s national defence system.
The Cavour is able to board and operate with all the aircraft used by the Italian Navy: helicopters (AB 212, EH 101, NH 90), AV-8B aircraft and latest-generation aircraft such as
F-35B fighters.
The flight deck extends from bow to stern with a runway parallel with the carrier’s longitudinal axis and a ski-jump, to ensure that aircraft can take off with the maximum payload. The hangar is designed to hold up to 12 helicopters or, alternatively, 8 aircraft. Handling operations between the hangar and the flight deck are managed by two 30-tonne elevators. The Cavour is manned by a fixed crew of 550 sailors and can accommodate up to 1,200.
Difesa Servizi S.p.A.
Difesa Servizi S.p.A. is the in-house company of the Italian Ministry of Defence responsible for managing and optimising the Department’s assets. On the market, it provides services for a variety of national and international stakeholders.
Since it was established in 2011, the company has met the need for innovation and promoted the unique values of the Italian Armed Forces, operating in a multiplicity of sectors through meticulous economic management of the defence assets and services entrusted to it.
Difesa Servizi S.p.A. offers a range of goods and services such as economic management of real estate and assets, excluding disposal; environmental optimisation of military units for the production of energy from renewable sources; promotion and economic management of the operations and services provided to third parties by the Armed Forces in the meteorological, health, merchandise, geo-cartographic, aerial and satellite photography sectors; brand optimisation through the temporary paid concession of the logos, denominations and distinctive signs of the Armed Forces; promotion and invoicing of technical activities and services, including those relating to the Ministry’s industrial and production activities, for which a special mandate has been conferred on national and international bodies in the public and private sectors.
Established in March 2010, it began operations in the second half of 2011.
Dorna begins work towards future MotoGP™ Grand Prix in India
Wednesday, 21 September 2022
Dorna Sports is delighted to announce that work has begun on a possible future Indian Grand Prix, with the target of bringing the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship to the Indian subcontinent in the near future.
Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta has recently visited India to meet with authorities and potential event promoter Fairstreet Sports. The visit began at the spectacular Buddh International Circuit, right outside New Delhi, which would be the target venue to host the possible MotoGP™ event.
Thereafter, the delegation also travelled to Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, the region in which the circuit is located, to meet with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Yogi Adityanath and Industrial Development Minister Mr Nand Gopal “Nandi”.
Finally the visit ended with a presentation in New Delhi to local media and representatives of the motorcycling industry, which showcased the great expectation the country has for MotoGP™.
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta: “India is a huge country and market, and an especially important one for the two-wheeled industry and MotoGP as a sport. The Championship has a huge fan base there and being able to hold a MotoGP event in India would be both an incredible spectacle for our fans at the same time as allowing us to continue to grow the sport in the region, which is hugely important for our all our partners and the manufacturers in particular given the hundreds of millions of two-wheeled vehicles on its roads. We would love to be able to see this project through and bring these incredible MotoGP bikes to race in front of the Indian fans.
“At MotoGP we are committed to our fans and aim to make the sport accessible to all, regardless of where they are, who they are or their economic status. Motorcycles are an incredible tool for transportation and in many areas of the world they drive society, providing economic mobility and powering families around the world. Racing in India would be a reflection of our commitment to open the doors to the sport as widely as we can, and would be and an important achievement for the Championship.”
Union Sports Minister Shri Anurag Thakur, during the meeting with Fairstreet Sports team, added: “It’s a historical day for the sporting and automobile industry and a befitting tribute to the Azadai Ka Amrit Maha Utsav celebrations, marking India’s befitting arrival in the global platform of motorsport. India could potentially be one of MotoGP’s biggest markets in terms of viewership as well as revenue.
“MotoGP is a critical asset thanks to the viewer loyalty that the sport enjoys and the competitive nature it embodies, already reaching nearly half a billion homes around the world. Dorna Sports, the sole commercial and television rights holder, produces the world feed television coverage of each Grand Prix throughout the season, from acquisition to distribution, as part of a 360 degree event management philosophy.”
Mr Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh: “It is a matter of great pride for Uttar Pradesh to host such a globally prestigious mega sports event. Not only will the event boost the hospitality and tourism sectors, but it will also put UP on the global platform. Our government will provide all the necessary support to make this event a huge success.”
Shri Nand Gopal “Nandi”, Cabinet Minister, Government of Uttar Pradesh for Industrial Development, Export Promotion, NRI, Investment Promotion, said, “The event will not only be a boon to motorcycle racing fans but also provide a major impetus to the economy by generating an influx of foreign investments and ushering in advancement in the personal transportation industry which would transcend into global investments and a preferred destination for OEM’s in the state of Uttar Pradesh.”
Garrett Gerloff on the grid at Magny-Cours. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Outspoken in Barcelona
From a carry-over of Magny-Cours’ drama to differing outlooks on team orders and fighting hard ahead of Barcelona’s big weekend, juicy gossip was aplenty in the pre-round debriefs
The penultimate European round of the 2022 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is on the horizon as the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with the paddock set for another monumental weekend of action. As usual, there was plenty of chatter amongst rivals in their pre-weekend interviews, with rivals continuing to be at odds, riders stating bold claims and discussing whether or not team orders will come into play if necessary.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “Not the best friends of the paddock, so the relationship will stay the same!”
“There’s no special relationship; he told me his point of view and I told him mine, but that’s all. Races are races and the past is the past. Jonathan and I were not the best friends of the paddock so the relationship will stay the same! Sincerely, the approach for the final part of the season doesn’t change for Toprak’s points gap; I know the last three rounds have been the most difficult tracks. I have to be focused, try and do my best and I think the next tracks will be nice for us. I’m quite calm and focussed on the bike and my work. For Michael staying, I’m so happy for him. He’s a very talented rider, he’s very young and improving a lot during this season. He had a difficult start but then began being more consistent and competitive; we have a similar riding style which is easier for the engineers, so I am happy for him, and I look forward to fighting in the next races and next year for victories with him.”
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “The atmosphere has soured…”
“I view Barcelona as a bit of a difficult circuit to be honest, but I have some incredible memories. When WorldSBK came here in 2020, I won the first ever race. I have the nice Barcelona trophy on display at home, so great memories from then. On the incident with Bautista, from my side, nothing will change because I have to fight so hard to be there in this incredible battle right now with two other strong rivals, but of course the atmosphere has soured a bit with a lot of things being said in the aftermath in the heat of the moment. There’s a point when you’re overtaking a rider and in this kind of instance, there’s a point of impact and you have to brace as the guy on the inside; this was the clear movement, not an intentional punt. He knows this. Right now, the Championship is so competitive with different manufacturers that we need to step up; the team know that and we’re working really hard to try and do that.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK): “The Championship is very strange this year… I’m very surprised!”
“This weekend is very important, and we need good points. I’ll focus on this race and then Portimao, because I think San Juan won’t be easy because the Ducati is very fast, especially in the straights with Alvaro. I watched the video of the incident between Alvaro and Jonny and Jonny makes a mistake, but this is racing. The Championship is strange this year; every weekend we are fighting and the points situation changes. I’m very surprised! The season is long, and we have many races.”
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “If I need to follow team orders, I will”
“Well, we arrive to Barcelona which is a track I really like and after a podium at Magny-Cours, so a positive feeling and positive vibes. I’m happy about the new contract and for sure, it gives us a little bit of calm, and I want to stay with the hunger and positive pressure; when I’m under these circumstances, I perform better. I think Axel is doing a great job for an Independent team but I think the best choice for our team was to remain the same, so we can fight in the next races and so that we can try and bring the title once again to Bologna. Next year, I think Alvaro and I can fight for the podium. I will try to win races but the main goal this year is to win the Championship. If I was in his position in the future, I’d like that a younger teammate who is not fighting for the title can be smart. I will use my brain and if I need to make a team decision and follow team orders, I will do it as I really believe in that.”
Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing): “If I have the opportunity to pass Michael or Alvaro, I’ll do it”
“I hope it will be a good round and we’ll try to repeat the result of Magny-Cours. I like the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya a lot, also the city of Barcelona is cool, so I feel good, and I hope to repeat the best results. My goal continues to be to try and be in front of the factory guys, and that hasn’t changed. I hope to continue to try and beat Michael but also Bautista if it’s possible and then to try and have a factory seat for 2024. In the next weeks, I’ll tell the WorldSBK paddock about what happens for next year! I think when we’re on track, we have the possibility to do what we want. I don’t like team orders so when I attack, I put all of myself to try and win. I don’t want to make mistakes, to crash with others, but if I have the possibility to pass Michael or Alvaro, I will do it.”
Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW): “Never a doubt that I’d continue with the team and BMW”
“Super delighted to announce the plans for 2023; there was never a doubt that I’d continue with the team and with BMW. We started the project at the beginning of the year, bearing in mind we needed a long time and I wanted to stay for a long time, with the same team and the same guys. I have been changing around a lot. BMW are putting a lot of effort to achieve our goals; we are improving a lot this year and next year looks good. I know how fast Garrett is and he’s a nice guy, and I know how important that is for the team. Even if he’s having harder races lately, you don’t lose your talent. I’m already excited for 2023, even if we still have a lot of races this year!”
Garrett Gerloff (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team): “It’s good to change things up… BMW are working hard behind the scenes”
“I’m really excited. BMW are working hard behind the scenes! They have the desire to keep pushing the bike to the front of the field and that’s where I want to be. Sometimes, it is good to change things up, for me specifically, and we will see how it goes. I really appreciated that they were excited to work with me and I really appreciate the opportunity. Remy Gardner joining the team in 2023 is something I didn’t expect to see and I’m glad he had the opportunity. I think he’s going to get along really well with the team, it’s a great group of people and that will be good for him. The R1 Yamaha is a great bike and Toprak’s been showing that in the last few years! It’ll be figuring out how to adapt to a different bike and the tyres will be interesting for him to get used to. Obviously, the bike and team are capable and if he can get it all sorted out, I hope to see him fighting close to the front.”
Enea Bastianini (center) with Marc Marquez (left) and Takaaki Nakagami (right) at one of the pre-race press conferences at Motegi. Photo courtesy Doran.
“I prefer to win on the track – not because someone let me pass”
The contenders and pretenders to the throne throw out some key talking points at Motegi
Thursday, 22 September 2022
Thursday of the Motul Grand Prix of Japan threw up plenty of talking points, with two Press Conferences. The first was the three riders split by just 17 points: Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), before the second saw MotorLand winner Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) joined by eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and home hero Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu).
MotoGP World Championship contenders Fabio Quartararo (center), Francesco Bagnaia (left), and Aleix Espargaro (right). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Here are some key quotes!
QUOTES
FABIO QUARTARARO
How are you feeling physically after your Aragon crash?
“Good. Today I had my first training, so it was okay. It’s just abrasions, so it’s a little bit painful but I think on the bike it’s not going to be a big issue. For sure, it’s going to be burning, especially in the first session, but I think it’s not going to be a problem riding the bike.”
Fabio Quartararo poses with some Japan MiniGP racers. Photo by Kohei Hirota.
Does being strong on tracks like Red Bull Ring and Aragon, despite past struggles there, give you confidence for Motegi?
“At the end, at every track, we are competitive. If you check also Red Bull Ring, also Aragon at the end, in the past, I’ve never been competitive there, and this time I had pretty strong pace. Unfortunately, my race ended quite soon, but I think, on the pace, there is no track that we are not fast at. But of course, then there are also some circumstances where we are struggling to overtake, so I think this track is quite good, because I’ve been super strong here in the past, and I’m looking forward to be back, because I have some really good memories here.”
Does the Mandalika race give you confidence in case it is wet?
“Yeah, especially also because I think in 2019, the grip level here was really high. I remember also I raced with Marc and Dovi, they were super fast. So, the more grip there is on the track, the better for us, and as you say, Mandalika was super good, so I think there is no reason now to have a kind of fear about having a wet race. Of course, I enjoy it more in the dry, but I think there is not a big issue if it’s rainy.”
How are you thinking about the Championship now that your lead is only 10 points?
“At the end, what can you do? I think right now, with 17 points around all three, I will not see it’s the beginning of the championship and everyone is pushing like hell, but I think all three, including Enea, want the Championship. But especially, having only 17 points between us three means that we will push ourselves to the maximum and in the end I think it’s nice.”
Did you decide on an artist name after the factory visit?
“Not yet, but I’m starting to make a few things… [Bagnaia: Diablo is already taken!!] I know! I have to try to find a new name, but actually, I had 12 hours on the plane so I was already playing with the computer and I liked it. It was really fun to visit, especially Yamaha music, because I never expected it was that big, and it was really fun.”
FRANCESCO BAGNAIA
Ready for Motegi?
“I’m happy to be here. It’s one of my favorite and best tracks. It means the start of the flyaway and it’s one of my favourite layouts. For sure the conditions and situation is completely different to 2019 when I was a rookie and I was struggling with my bike. So I think this year can be good, I really like the layout so it suits our bike very well. I really like braking so on the brakes we can be competitive.”
Francesco Bagnaia. Photo courtesy Dorna.
How strong is the Ducati?
“It looks like we are normally the bike to beat. Our bike is the most complete. This track for sure is great but we have seen in Austria that normally we are the fastest, but Fabio can stay with us. It is important to do the correct decision about the feeling of the bike and we have to consider the conditions cause it looks like it can rain.”
On the weather and the challenge:
“In this moment I’m not thinking too much on the Championship because five races is still a lot and everything can change still. I would like to do my work as always and try to be competitive. It’s true in the wet I’m not the fastest, and I struggle always. In Indonesia I finished 15th. It will be important to have more sessions on wets if the race is on wets to help understand the conditions.”
And what about team orders?
“Sincerely I don’t think I need help to be at the front. I prefer to win on the track and not because someone let me pass. In any case, I’m not part of this decision, it is something where I have already said my desire, which is let me do what I want to do. If they decide something different, it’s not something about me. I will be racing; I will try to be in front and I will try to win. Just like I did in Aragon and in Misano.”
ALEIX ESPARGARO
Was Aragon the perfect time to get back on the podium and restore confidence and momentum?
“Yeah, it has been good to be back on the podium. Especially, it has been an extra boost of confidence. I struggled in Misano and Austria and I was quite satisfied about my performance, to finish in sixth place in difficult circuits in MotoGP today is not that easy, so it was okay. But to finish on the podium, especially after a very difficult weekend with two crashes on Friday, being out of Q2… It was not an easy weekend for me but to manage and put the bike on the podium on Sunday was great.”
Aleix Espargaro. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Will straight-line braking be a concern this weekend given it is a weakness of the Aprilia?
“I think, during the Misano test, we improved a little bit in that area, and it’s really related to the track grip. It also depends on which rear tyre we have. So, I’m not really worried. It’s a long time since we raced here in Motegi, but it’s a track that I like and anything can happen. It looks like the weather conditions will not be the best ones, so it’s going to really be about how you can adapt to these conditions as well as possible. The programme will be different because we will not have Free Practice 1 in the morning, so it’s going to be different, a tricky weekend.”
Does your extra MotoGP™ experience give you an advantage here?
“I don’t think it’s going to count so much. I mean, I was watching the ’19 race yesterday and Fabio did a super good race, always just one second from Marc in his rookie year, which is difficult to do, and Pecco also raced once. But we raced both in smaller classes, so we know the track, the bike has changed so much from ’19, we have a lot of new items on the bikes, we have a new carcass on the Michelin tyres, so I think it’s going to be quite new for everybody.”
Are you feeling the pressure of fighting for a Championship for the first time?
“I have to say at, let’s say, the middle of the season, when I started to finish on the podium in every race, I started to feel some pressure because I realised I had some chance to fight for this title until the end. But now, I’m a little bit more relaxed, I’m enjoying this year a lot – with my family when I’m not racing, also when I’m racing – every single minute of this year, I will not ever forget in my life, so this is why I feel relaxed. I know I will have my chances, so I’m just trying to do the same that I did from Qatar: make no mistakes, enjoy it as much as possible, and be relaxed.”
Did you expect any more chaos on minibikes this weekend?
“It will be nice, small chaos is more fun. The last pre-event here was a fun one, but yeah, MotoGP is MotoGP, everything can happen, we saw it with Fabio’s crash on the first lap in Aragon, for example. He was leading the Championship, always struggling in Aragon, and then he had super strong pace and then he crashed in the race. So, everything can happen, you have to be relaxed, try to handle everything in the most positive way possible, and let’s see how this weekend is because we have to deal with many new things and it’s been a long time since we raced in Japan, different schedule, strange weather conditions, so it’s going to be fun.”
ENEA BASTIANINI
Motegi seems to suit the Ducati…
“I’m very happy about last weekend in Aragon. It was one of the best weekends of my life, from Friday I was very fast and it was very important for us. Now it’s Motegi, a beautiful track with lots of hard braking, I like it, but it will be hard as I never tried the MotoGP at this track. I have to use FP1 to learn from riders with experience here, like Marc and Taka. I twill be important to be competitive in QP, like always, because it is the key now to MotoGP.”
Enea Bastianini. Photo courtesy Dorna.
You’re a “Motegi rookie” in the premier class. Does this weekend make it more of a level playing field?
“Yeah, I think, I don’t know if it is an advantage to have not tried a MotoGP bike here. From 2019 to now, MotoGP bikes are very different, its more aerodynamic, the rear device and this can change the cards on the table. I don’t remember a lot, from 2019 in Moto2, it was my first year also….this in my career. I’m prepared to start.”
Now you’re 48 points off Fabio, do you still have Championship hopes?
“I think my chances are really, really small. I haven’t lost it for the moment. We will see what happens in the future. It is important to do great races like Aragon and Misano and I think after the summer break I have made a good step. This is the most important for us. I try to do my best every week to arrive at the end of the Championship in a good position.”
And what about team orders?
“Also in Misano, I haven’t had any team orders from Ducati at the moment, and this is good because I also have a small chance at the Championship. I have to use this to do always 100% in the race. In the last part of the Championship, we will see if I have some team orders or not. I’m not stressed now!”
TAKAAKI NAKAGAMI
How is your hand?
“To be honest, my hand is not the best feeling of course. On Monday, I had surgery in Barcelona. Only a few days to recover 100%. After the race, I understood that my hand was pretty bad, so I was expecting it will be a really, really tough home race this weekend. Actually, at least I got the green light for FP1 but I have to check again and we will decide to continue or stop after that.”
Takaaki Nakagami shows his special helmet paint job for his home race at Motegi. Photo by Kohei Hirota.
What about the Lap 1 Aragon drama?
“Well, it’s difficult, I tried to overtake Marc at Turn 7, and I lost the line slightly, and he tried to overtake again on the exit. He was clearly in front of me. It looks like when he activated the device the bike went to the left, in such a short time, I tried to elbow out to avoid contact but it was impossible. That moment I realized it wasn’t Marc’s fault, it was an unlucky racing accident. 0% I never got angry with him, it was unlucky, I got injured but this is life. It could have been worse, I hit him twice, but the first one I was already out of control. I cannot imagine the first one going to the right, I was trying to stay on the bike but it was full throttle, the second one I already crashed and was on the floor. Thank god all the riders behind avoided me. I was lucky. I will try to recover and let’s see how FP1 goes.”
Thoughts on the weather?
“Yeah, normally everyone hopes for sunshine for riders and fans. Looks an unstable weather forecast. A couple of days ago a big typhoon came and the weekend looks pretty bad. Physically, rain could be a help because of less force in the braking, but it will be better. I feel sorry for the fans, after 3 years, all the riders and fans have been waiting for this weekend. Apart from injury, hopefully good weather this weekend.”
Thoughts on the Kalex swingarm?
“As you say, I tested the aluminum swingarm at the Misano Test. It was pretty comfortable and I like it. Then Marc had it in Aragon and he had a positive feeling I believe. This weekend I will have the swingarm according to the plan. This hand and this performance, if it will be a help or not. First I. have to check the level of performance with my hand, and if I am able to continue, then we will try during the weekend.”
We’re back in Japan for the first time since 2019. How special is it?
“Really important. Today already I met a lot of fans and friends in the paddock so it’s an amazing feeling. The feeling is it is my home GP, I can talk Japanese in the paddock. This gives me a lot of positive energy. Of course, I prepared a special helmet for this weekend as always in Japan. Now is Autumn, so I tried to design it in a traditional Japanese Autumn design.”
MARC MARQUEZ
Do you expect Motegi to be a more demanding physical challenge than Aragon?
“Yeah, of course, Aragon was already really demanding for, especially because the Misano test is one thing but the intensity especially in a race weekend is different. Here in Motegi will be the first time that there is a big stress to the right arm, because there are many braking points – long braking points, hard braking points – and right corners, so I will need to manage the situation well, and my physical condition. In Aragon, I said that maybe Sunday will not be a problem; maybe here, yes; but I will understand straight away when I go out in FP1.”
Eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Is it frustrating that the Aragon crash and potentially rain at Motegi will make it difficult to test yourself and the bike?
“Yeah, of course, the target of the Aragon GP was to try to do some kilometres and try to finish the race, but unfortunately I just did one lap after an amazing start. I was disappointed, especially because I felt ready. On race pace, I was not bad, it was my strongest point, and I managed the tyres on that race track – I feel really good when the tyres drop – but anyway, it was like this. It was unlucky, but at the same time, lucky, because in both situations, we were lucky that nothing happened. Now it’s time to focus here in Motegi. It will be different, it will be damp conditions. It’s true that we have more races to try the things in Honda, but it’s an important weekend because it’s one of our test circuits and the test team is working a lot here, but we will continue our way and just try to work for 2023.”
How did you assess your Aragon performance and could you ride the bike in a more natural way?
“It’s true that in Aragon, I was struggling a lot in the morning practice, but then in the afternoon practice, I felt much better. I was struggling a lot in the natural position on the bike, but then in the afternoon, it was much better. Now, single laps, I can ride like I want, but the problem is that still I need more muscle to keep that riding style for more laps, and we are looking to arrive at that level in these next races.”
Have you met directly with senior management at HRC or will you meet them this weekend?
“Yeah, it’s important to be back in Japan because sometimes you have some emails, some phone calls, but face-to-face is completely different, and it was important to visit all HRC and check what they are doing, and especially motivate them. At the same time, you see the President and all the important people who are there. They know already where they are, they know where they want to arrive, and I’m here to help them to come back to the top.”
Loris Baz (76). Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
Loris Baz to race for the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team as a BMW Motorrad WorldSBK factory rider also in 2023.
Loris Baz to contest his second season on the BMW M 1000 RR in 2023.
The Frenchman will start for the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team, as he does this season.
Marc Bongers: “With his experience, ability and personality, Loris adds an awful lot to the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team and our whole WorldSBK project”.
Munich. Loris Baz (FRA) will remain part of the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family in 2023, and will start as a BMW Motorrad factory rider in the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) again. Next year will be his second season with the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team. The collaboration has been extended accordingly. Baz’s new team-mate will be American Garrett Gerloff.
The 29-year-old Frenchman and the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team have worked well together from the outset this season, their first together, and have enjoyed success. They have already achieved their goal of finishing in the top ten on multiple occasions. Baz was also in contention for a podium at his home round at Magny-Cours (FRA).
“Loris is an important part of our family of BMW factory riders, and we are thrilled that he will start for the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team again in 2023,” said BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers. “You could tell from the word go that the chemistry was good between him, the team and his fellow factory riders. With his experience, ability and personality, Loris adds an awful lot to the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team and our whole WorldSBK project. It is excellent news that this impressive collaboration will continue next season. We are confident that we will continue to move forward together.”
Jürgen Röder, owner of the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team, said: “I am delighted that Loris is staying with us. We are very happy about that, and I believe that Loris Baz and his team-mate Garrett Gerloff will form an incredibly strong duo next year, when we can hopefully push hard with the BMW. From a riding potential, we have a great troop, and the team in the background will also remain the same for next year. As such, we will have a well-practiced team in 2023, which has done an outstanding job this year. Furthermore, we will have Loris, Garrett and Eugene Laverty, in the role of riding coach, by my side. Eugene gets on superbly with both riders, so I think the collaboration is going to be great in that regard too. That encourages me to be very positive looking ahead.”
“I am really happy that I will ride for BMW and the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team again next year,” said Baz. “I never doubted that I would. When I joined the project, the intention was to be involved in the long term and to improve every year. I feel really good in the team, and BMW is working harder than anyone else to achieve the goal we all have. I am also delighted to have such a nice guy as Garrett as my team-mate. I also have a very good relationship with Eugene, and it is really important for the team that we feel like a family. I am sure that will also be the case with Garrett. The goal is now to end 2022 strongly and go into the 2023 season with a good basis. Thank you to everyone at BMW, Jürgen Röder and Michael Galinski for the faith they have put in me.”
Josh Herrin. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Ducati North America.
Herrin’s Homecoming Set for Barber Motorsports Park
Josh Herrin rolling in as the champion and ready for some fun in the Heart of Dixie
Sunnyvale, Calif. — Josh Herrin’s Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC Ducati Panigale V2 final hit-out for the 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship is set for Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama this weekend.
Herrin clinched the championship with a measured and calm performance at New Jersey Motorsports Park two weeks ago, leaving the Northeast with an unassailable 93-point lead heading into this final Barber round with 50 points and two race wins still to play for.
After earlier stating intentions to race a second Ducati Panigale V4 SBK in the Superbike category as teammate to Danilo Petrucci at Barber, Herrin and the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC team has since decided against the plan and will instead concentrate on the Supersport class with the tantalizing prospect of finishing the championship with a massive 100-point buffer over second place.
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC – #2) : “I’m excited to race Barber this weekend. It’s one of my favorite tracks on the schedule,” Herrin said. “I want to end the year with two more wins. It’s nice to go into the weekend with no stress on our shoulders, just race and do our best without the championship to worry about. I’m looking forward to it and can’t wait to see everyone out at Barber.”
The ninth and final round of the 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship at Barber Motorsports Park will kick off with Free Practice 1 at 10:10 CDT on Friday, September 23. Race One is scheduled for Saturday, September 24 at 2:10 pm CDT with Race Two, the last race of 2022, to be held on September 25 at 2:10 pm CDT.
Wild Card Editor Sam Fleming and the Yamaha MT-10 on a mountain road near Asheville, North Carolina. The bike combines all-day comfort with easy, real-world knee-dragging performance. What's not to like?
Featured In the September 2022 issue of Roadracing World:
“Ride-by-wire throttles are here to stay and, depending on how you feel about being in control, that can be a good or bad thing.
“On a racebike with unfettered access to the engine control unit (ECU), ride-by-wire is a powerful tool to be able to do neat tricks like taking the slack out of the chain before allowing more power to the rear wheel, or only delivering as much power as the tire or wheelie will allow regardless of what the rider is requesting with the twist grip. Impressive stuff…”
—2022 Yamaha MT-10 Intro, by Sam Q. Fleming
Knee-dragging performance? All-day comfort? They’re not mutually exclusive when it comes to Yamaha’s new MT-10. Sam Q. Fleming ripped the bike around North Carolina—read his impressions in the latest issue of Roadracing World!
PREVIEW the September 2022 Issue of Roadracing World!
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A 2023 Yamaha YZ250F in action. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.
Yamaha Pledges $500K, Urges All to Get Outdoors on September 24
Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative Celebrates National Public Lands Day and National Hunting and Fishing Day
MARIETTA, Ga. – September 21, 2022 – Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, is encouraging people to get outside and enjoy the outdoors on Saturday, September 24, 2022, in honor of National Public Lands Day and National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHF Day). In recognition of these events, the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative (OAI) is renewing its annual pledge to commit $500,000 to organizations supporting access to land for outdoor recreation and encouraging applications for grants before the next quarterly deadline on September 30.
National Public Lands Day invites volunteers nationwide to help restore and preserve public lands – from national parks to local urban green spaces – directly aligning with Yamaha OAI’s goal of protecting public lands for outdoor recreation. To date, the Yamaha OAI program has contributed over $5 million in funding and equipment across more than 425 projects in the last 14 years to assist outdoor recreationists working to protect and improve access to public land and educate everyone on safe, sustainable recreational use. Yamaha OAI has proven to be the industry’s most reliable partner and a significant resource for those who depend on access to public land for work and play.
Additionally, on September 24, National Hunting and Fishing Day is celebrating its 50th anniversary. NHF Day events are organized each year by Wonders of Wildlife to spread awareness of the conservation and economic benefits, as well as traditions and values of hunting and fishing. Yamaha OAI is a founding partner of Wonders of Wildlife’s Live It! program and a supporter of its efforts to expand NHF Day events across the country. These events play a significant role in expanding awareness of the issues facing public access and outdoor recreation, and the Live It! program supports local conservation groups wanting to host or enhance NHF Day events, but are limited in their resources.
Since access to public land is best protected by visitors’ responsible and sustainable practices, Yamaha OAI partners with Recreate Responsibly Coalition (RRC) on a variety of activities, including signage for land managers to educate visitors on appropriate, responsible use of trails and riding areas. Those interested in applying for the signs can simply complete a form at the following link: Yamaha OAI / RRC Responsible Use Signage Request.
“Last year we made a commitment to grant half a million dollars to outdoor projects, and we’re proud to say we exceeded that goal,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s Motorsports marketing manager. “Our lives are rooted in the outdoors and Yamaha’s direct and significant financial support of Wonders of Wildlife, Recreate Responsibly, and so many other outdoor organizations help make recreation on public lands possible. In celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day and National Public Lands Day, we’re excited to renew our annual commitment to make a minimum of $500,000 available in 2022 to organizations who help create opportunities for outdoor recreation.”
The Yamaha OAI program encourages riding clubs, land stewardship associations, and public land managers to work together with Yamaha dealers to identify projects and apply for support. Yamaha OAI is a one-stop resource for outdoor organizations seeking support for their next project. Visit YamahaOAI.com for application details, or examples of some typical projects the program supports for inspiration.
The application deadline for consideration in the third quarter of the 2022 funding cycle is September 30, 2022. Submission guidelines and an application for a Yamaha OAI grant are available at YamahaOAI.com. Connect with Yamaha on social media via @YamahaOutdoors or search any of the following hashtags on all platforms: #Yamaha #YamahaOAI #REALizeYourAdventure #ProvenOffRoad #AssembledInUSA
About the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative
Since 2008, the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative has led the Powersports industry in supporting responsible access to our nation’s public lands for outdoor enthusiasts. With more than $5 million contributed to 425 projects across the country, Yamaha has directly and indirectly supported thousands of miles of motorized recreation trails, maintained and rehabilitated riding and hunting areas, improved staging areas, supplied agricultural organizations with essential OHV safety education, built bridges over fish-bearing streams, and partnered with local outdoor enthusiast communities across the country to improve access to public lands. Each quarter, Yamaha accepts applications from nonprofit or tax-exempt organizations including OHV riding clubs and associations, national, state, and local public land-use agencies, outdoor enthusiast associations, and land conservation groups with an interest in protecting, improving, expanding, and/or maintaining access for safe, responsible, and sustainable public use.
Updated guidelines, an application form, information, and news about the Outdoor Access Initiative are available at YamahaOAI.com. For specific questions about the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative, call the dedicated hotline at 1-877-OHV-TRAIL (877-648-8724), email [email protected], or write to:
Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative
Yamaha Motor Corp., USA
3065 Chastain Meadows Parkway, Bldg. 100
Marietta, GA 30066
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, and factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company (YMSC) with divisions Bennett Marine (Florida), Kracor Systems (Wisconsin) and Siren Marine, Inc. (Rhode Island), Skeeter Boats (Texas), with division G3 Boats (Missouri), and Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana).
JD Beach (left) signs an autograph for a fan at an American Flat Track (AFT) event earlier in 2022. Photo by Kristin Lassen, courtesy AFT.
Mission Happy Hour to Highlight Fan Appreciation Night at Progressive AFT Season Finale
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 21, 2022) – Progressive American Flat Track will celebrate its fanbase with a special “Fan Appreciation Night” at the Mission Volusia Half-Mile Finale II presented by Daytona Dodge on the season’s final day, Saturday, October 15, at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida.
The centerpiece of Fan Appreciation Night will be the Mission Happy Hour. Gates will open an hour early to allow the Mission Happy Hour to run from 2:30 p.m. local time up until on-track action kicks off for the evening at 4:00 p.m.
During that time, fans will enjoy a rider meet and greet along with a special Q&A hosted by Ralph Sheehen featuring the sport’s greatest athletes. There will also be a variety of special attractions, music, games, prizes, and giveaways.
Every attendee will receive a raffle ticket upon entrance and be welcome to take part in the taco eating contest alongside VIPs and past Progressive AFT championships. There will also be yard games to enjoy, including Jenga, Cornhole, and Connect 4.
Fans will also have the opportunity to win various prizes, including free Paddock Pass Upgrades, event shirts, food and beverage vouchers, and the chance to eat dinner alongside the riders and crew inside the Mission Hospitality Tent, among other offerings. Additionally, 20 attendees will get the exclusive experience of getting their photo taken at the podium.
Progressive AFT fans will also be able to take advantage of a special 50% off discount for the Paddock Pass Upgrade during the session’s opening half hour and then enjoy $5 off all merchandise for the final hour.
Additionally, the Halifax Humane Society will be in attendance, complete with ambassador dogs. Fans are encouraged to bring donations, the most pressing items being pet food (wet and dry, dog, cat, and kitten), treats, peanut butter, and laundry detergent.
FOX Sports and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2022 season, all races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. FansChoice.tv provides livestreaming coverage of every Progressive AFT round at http://www.FansChoice.tv.
A limited-edition Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello Aviazione Navale in front of an AV-8B Harrier aircraft on the deck of the Italian aircraft carrier Cavour. Photo courtesy Moto Guzzi.
ABOARD THE CAVOUR AIRCRAFT CARRIER, MOTO GUZZI AND THE ITALIAN NAVY CELEBRATE THEIR CLOSE TIES, STARTING WITH THE EAGLE SYMBOL
The occasion saw the world preview of the V100 Mandello Aviazione Navale, a limited edition of 1913 numbered motorcycles
Packed with technology, the latest arrival in the Moto Guzzi family features a unique livery inspired by the F-35B fighters, making it the most striking model in the V100 range
Civitavecchia, 21 September 2022 – On the spectacular stage of the flight deck of the Cavour aircraft carrier, Moto Guzzi and the Italian Navy have celebrated the close ties that have united them for more than one hundred years.
The spread-winged eagle, the unmistakeable emblem of Moto Guzzi since it was established in 1921, dates back to the military service of the company’s founders, Carlo Guzzi and Giorgio Parodi, in the Italian Royal Navy’s Aeronautical Arm in World War One. It was during the war that the two friends, and pilot Giovanni Ravelli, decided to go into motorcycle manufacturing once the conflict ended. Ravelli was killed in an accident in 1919 and was unable to achieve his dream. Guzzi and Parodi chose the Eagle as their symbol in memory of their companion.
The event was an emotional occasion, which included the world preview of the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello Aviazione Navale, a special numbered limited-edition of the latest arrival in the Moto Guzzi family. A technology-rich motorcycle made even more striking in this exclusive version uniting two great names with indissoluble ties to the history of Italy.
The project was made possible thanks to Difesa Servizi S.p.A., an in-house company of the Italian Ministry of Defence responsible for optimising the Department’s assets over the last 10 years, which granted Moto Guzzi use of the “Aviazione Navale” mark for the production of the V100 Mandello Aviazione Navale.
Produced in a limited edition of 1913 numbered motorcycles, a tribute to the year in which the aviation arm of the Italian Navy was formed, the exclusive Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello Aviazione Navale is a unique model, starting with its special livery inspired by the Navy’s
F-35B fighter jets. The graphics are a faithful reproduction of those of the aircraft, with the insignia on both sides of the cowl, together with the typical “jet intake” stripes. The livery is enhanced by a low-visibility tricolour rosette on the sides of the fuel tank, the emblem of the Italian Naval Aviation, and the logo of the Boarded Aircraft Unit.
Standard features include a tyre pressure monitoring system and heated handlegrips, while the serial number is laser etched on the handlebar riser. Each one of the bikes comes with its own cover and a commemorative plaque.
Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello
The Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello opens a completely new chapter in the company’s history; it eludes conventional categorisation, combining brilliant performance with the vocation for travel that lies at the heart of every Moto Guzzi two-wheeler.
This is a Moto Guzzi like never before, whose cutting-edge technology and innovative technical and aerodynamic solutions open the door to the future of the brand. The V100 Mandello is an innovative bike starting with the design which, as always, enhances the unique, inimitable twin-cylinder engine. Lines that eschew nostalgia, offering a modern take on the key elements of the Moto Guzzi stylistic idiom. A watershed in the brand’s history, the bike introduces many important technological innovations: the first two-wheeler with adaptive aerodynamics, the first Moto Guzzi model to feature a six-axis inertial platform, ABS cornering, semi-active suspensions and a quick shift, to name just the most important.
The V100 Mandello is also the first Moto Guzzi bike powered by the new compact-block engine with sophisticated technical characteristics. Tradition is maintained by the 90° V-twin architecture, which guarantees Moto Guzzi’s unique torque delivery and inimitable sound, but the project is completely new and offers impressively brilliant performance: power of 115 hp and torque of 105 Nm, with 82% already available at 3,500 rpm.
Naval Aviation
Italy’s Naval Aviation – Aviazione Navale – is the air component of the Italian Navy, created to operate at sea in close contact with its ships. Its origins date back to 1913, when the Aeronautical Service of the Royal Navy was officially formed.
The Navy’s aviation units are currently headed by the COMFORAER Air Forces Command, which is responsible for the organisation and coordination of the activities of all the Navy’s aircraft, including maintenance, management of logistics infrastructure and training for flight and ground personnel.
Its fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters are boarded on vessels equipped with hangars and a flight deck, on amphibious assault units and on aircraft carriers.
Since the 1980s, Italy’s Naval Aviation has been involved in all the main international operations.
The Cavour aircraft carrier
The Cavour (CVH 550) is a short take-off and vertical landing aircraft carrier, built by Fincantieri. It entered service for the Italian Navy in 2009.
With an LOA of 244 metres and 220 metres of runway, the Cavour is the Italian Navy’s flagship, and one of the most important technological investments of the country’s national defence system.
The Cavour is able to board and operate with all the aircraft used by the Italian Navy: helicopters (AB 212, EH 101, NH 90), AV-8B aircraft and latest-generation aircraft such as
F-35B fighters.
The flight deck extends from bow to stern with a runway parallel with the carrier’s longitudinal axis and a ski-jump, to ensure that aircraft can take off with the maximum payload. The hangar is designed to hold up to 12 helicopters or, alternatively, 8 aircraft. Handling operations between the hangar and the flight deck are managed by two 30-tonne elevators. The Cavour is manned by a fixed crew of 550 sailors and can accommodate up to 1,200.
Difesa Servizi S.p.A.
Difesa Servizi S.p.A. is the in-house company of the Italian Ministry of Defence responsible for managing and optimising the Department’s assets. On the market, it provides services for a variety of national and international stakeholders.
Since it was established in 2011, the company has met the need for innovation and promoted the unique values of the Italian Armed Forces, operating in a multiplicity of sectors through meticulous economic management of the defence assets and services entrusted to it.
Difesa Servizi S.p.A. offers a range of goods and services such as economic management of real estate and assets, excluding disposal; environmental optimisation of military units for the production of energy from renewable sources; promotion and economic management of the operations and services provided to third parties by the Armed Forces in the meteorological, health, merchandise, geo-cartographic, aerial and satellite photography sectors; brand optimisation through the temporary paid concession of the logos, denominations and distinctive signs of the Armed Forces; promotion and invoicing of technical activities and services, including those relating to the Ministry’s industrial and production activities, for which a special mandate has been conferred on national and international bodies in the public and private sectors.
Established in March 2010, it began operations in the second half of 2011.
Honorable Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Aditya Nath (left), CEO Dorna Carmelo Ezpeleta (center), and Industrial Development Export & Investment Promotion & NRI Minister Mr. Nand "Nandi" Gopal Gupta (right). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Dorna begins work towards future MotoGP™ Grand Prix in India
Wednesday, 21 September 2022
Dorna Sports is delighted to announce that work has begun on a possible future Indian Grand Prix, with the target of bringing the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship to the Indian subcontinent in the near future.
Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta has recently visited India to meet with authorities and potential event promoter Fairstreet Sports. The visit began at the spectacular Buddh International Circuit, right outside New Delhi, which would be the target venue to host the possible MotoGP™ event.
Thereafter, the delegation also travelled to Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, the region in which the circuit is located, to meet with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Yogi Adityanath and Industrial Development Minister Mr Nand Gopal “Nandi”.
Finally the visit ended with a presentation in New Delhi to local media and representatives of the motorcycling industry, which showcased the great expectation the country has for MotoGP™.
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta: “India is a huge country and market, and an especially important one for the two-wheeled industry and MotoGP as a sport. The Championship has a huge fan base there and being able to hold a MotoGP event in India would be both an incredible spectacle for our fans at the same time as allowing us to continue to grow the sport in the region, which is hugely important for our all our partners and the manufacturers in particular given the hundreds of millions of two-wheeled vehicles on its roads. We would love to be able to see this project through and bring these incredible MotoGP bikes to race in front of the Indian fans.
“At MotoGP we are committed to our fans and aim to make the sport accessible to all, regardless of where they are, who they are or their economic status. Motorcycles are an incredible tool for transportation and in many areas of the world they drive society, providing economic mobility and powering families around the world. Racing in India would be a reflection of our commitment to open the doors to the sport as widely as we can, and would be and an important achievement for the Championship.”
Union Sports Minister Shri Anurag Thakur, during the meeting with Fairstreet Sports team, added: “It’s a historical day for the sporting and automobile industry and a befitting tribute to the Azadai Ka Amrit Maha Utsav celebrations, marking India’s befitting arrival in the global platform of motorsport. India could potentially be one of MotoGP’s biggest markets in terms of viewership as well as revenue.
“MotoGP is a critical asset thanks to the viewer loyalty that the sport enjoys and the competitive nature it embodies, already reaching nearly half a billion homes around the world. Dorna Sports, the sole commercial and television rights holder, produces the world feed television coverage of each Grand Prix throughout the season, from acquisition to distribution, as part of a 360 degree event management philosophy.”
Mr Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh: “It is a matter of great pride for Uttar Pradesh to host such a globally prestigious mega sports event. Not only will the event boost the hospitality and tourism sectors, but it will also put UP on the global platform. Our government will provide all the necessary support to make this event a huge success.”
Shri Nand Gopal “Nandi”, Cabinet Minister, Government of Uttar Pradesh for Industrial Development, Export Promotion, NRI, Investment Promotion, said, “The event will not only be a boon to motorcycle racing fans but also provide a major impetus to the economy by generating an influx of foreign investments and ushering in advancement in the personal transportation industry which would transcend into global investments and a preferred destination for OEM’s in the state of Uttar Pradesh.”
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Default
Line Height
Default
Letter Spacing
Default
Left Aligned
Center Aligned
Right Aligned
Visually Pleasing Experience
Dark Contrast
Light Contrast
Monochrome
High Contrast
High Saturation
Low Saturation
Adjust Text Colors
Adjust Title Colors
Adjust Background Colors
Easy Orientation
Mute Sounds
Hide Images
Hide Emoji
Reading Guide
Stop Animations
Reading Mask
Highlight Hover
Highlight Focus
Big Dark Cursor
Big Light Cursor
Cognitive Reading
Virtual Keyboard
Navigation Keys
Voice Navigation
Accessibility Statement
www.roadracingworld.com
November 15, 2026
Compliance status
We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience,
regardless of circumstance and ability.
To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level.
These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible
to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.
This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific
disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.
Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML,
adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.
If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation
Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with
screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive
a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements,
alongside console screenshots of code examples:
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
